Exceptions To Darien's Chicken Law?

DARIEN, IL — If you thought the debate over chickens in Darien was over, you'd be wrong.

Two weeks ago, the Darien City Council approved a law for backyard chickens, seemingly concluding the debate for the time being. But on Monday, the council discussed when the city would grant exceptions to the rules.

The issue was whether to allow variances to the requirement for 6-foot privacy fences on the perimeter of backyards with chickens.

Some aldermen said unique circumstances could warrant exceptions from time to time, while others contended the fence requirement was too important to waive.

Mayor Joseph Marchese said the council enacted rules that reflected both sides of the debate: allowing proponents to raise chickens, but enacting regulations — the 6-foot fence, chief among them — to protect chicken opponents.

Check the Darien City Council's debate over whether to allow exceptions to the chicken law.

Marchese questioned why the council would enact a chicken ordinance in the first place if it later made exceptions to the most important part.

Alderman Eric Gustafson agreed.

"Frankly, the only reason I voted for the ordinance was because of the mandatory privacy fence, and now we're starting to back off from that, which is totally inappropriate," he said. "Now, as the mayor says, we are stepping away from the people who voiced concerns about it. We can't all of a sudden change the rules of the road."

Alderman Joseph Kenny said the council wasn't backing off, but he said exceptions could be reasonable in certain cases. With properties at different elevations, for instance, a 4-foot fence may be acceptable at times, he said.

Alderman Tom Belczak said not every property was the same.

"That's the whole point of a variance. We just create a variance procedure and let them come and explain why they need a variance," Belczak said. "Then we can make a decision based upon the particular circumstances."

Marchese warned that anyone who would incur the cost of a fence under the rules would seek an exception, deluging the building department.

"You will open a Pandora's box," he said.

Aldermen agreed to postpone discussion of the issue until its next meeting, which is Nov. 2.

The issue over chickens came to the forefront during the summer when neighbors complained about resident Melissa Goodridge's chicken coop.

Check other stories about the chicken debate:

Backyard Chickens Upset Some Darien Residents

Darien Chicken Owner Fights For Rights

Darien Family Makes Case For Chickens

The Case Against Chickens In Darien Neighborhood

Darien Question: Do Chicken Coops Hurt Property Values?

Darien Chicken Debate Goes Before Council

Darien Council Rules In Chicken Debate